Check this out: The Broncos have 10 turnovers through five games. That’s about five too many. But there’s more. The average placement of where the Broncos are turning over the ball: The opponents’ 35 yard line.

The Broncos are currently 9th in the NFL in scoring at 27.0 points per game. But let’s say instead of turnovers, they get 23 more points off those drives to the 17 or better — two touchdowns and three field goals, as a conservative estimate. That would lift the Broncos to the second- or third-highest scoring team, depending on how Houston fares tonight against the Jets.

The conclusion: The Broncos are close to having a Colts-like offensive juggernaut from their Peyton Manning years. For the Broncos to become their own offensive juggernaut with Manning this year, they have to start protecting the football.